Bisons lose close game to North Florida, Monday’s game still a go despite weather concerns

In the Lipscomb men’s basketball team’s first game back in Allen Arena Saturday since their early December win over Tennessee Tech, the Bisons, now in conference play, kept it close with the visiting North Florida Ospreys, but despite a late run by Lipscomb, the Ospreys left victorious, 78-73. The Bisons are still searching for their first Atlantic-Sun win of the season. A staunch first half gave no wiggle room for either team to gain any momentum, with junior twins Martin and Malcolm Smith turning in strong efforts for the Bisons. North Florida led by one at the half. In the second half, the power struggle continued until North Florida went on a 10-0 run at 6:07 to take the game’s first commanding lead, 68-58, at 3:31 to go. The Bisons fought back with a flurry of baskets, narrowing the Osprey’s lead to two with the score sitting at 73-71 with a little over 30 seconds to go. However, the Ospreys held on for the win. Martin Smith led the Bisons in points with 20, with Malcolm Smith not too far behind with 18 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Josh Williams had 13 points and seven rebounds. When asked about the back-and-forth nature of the game, Martin Smith referenced the two different runs that each team went on. “You know, basketball is a game of runs,” Smith said. “We’ve just got to stick with what we’re doing.” Looking ahead to a quick turnaround for Monday’s game  at home against fellow A-Sun member Jacksonville, Martin Smith says that consistency will be a key for success. “Our effort was there. We’ve just...